The Impossible – Kids Movie Review
At first I didn’t want to see this movie, and now I can’t stop thinking about it. The Impossible centers around the lives of one family and their fight for survival during the 2004 Thailand tsuanmi. Henry (Ewan McGregor), his wife Maria (Naomi Watts), and their three sons were at a beautiful Thailand resort over Christmas vacation. The sun was shining as Maria was lounging by the pool, while Henry and the boys were playing in the water. What started out to be the perfect vacation, changed within minutes. The blender at the poolside bar stopped working, the wind began to blow, and the palm trees started to shake as a 90- foot wave came crashing over everything. The Impossible, based on a true story, is a gut-wrenching drama about a loving, compassionate family and the struggles they endured as they tried to survive the worst natural disaster in modern history.
Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: April 23, 2013
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
This is an amazing heartfelt film with a self-sacrificial theme woven throughout the movie. We saw strangers helping those in need, doing whatever they could do to comfort the victims.
After Maria (the mom) and Lucas (the pre-teen son) came out of the water, Maria was severely wounded, however she encouraged Lucas to help a young boy they heard crying under some debris. Initially Lucas refused, and only wanted to help his mom, but Maria told him that they must help this boy, even if it’s the last thing they do. Ultimately this became a valuable life lesson for Lucas. This could spark a great parent/child conversation.
When Maria was in the hospital she urged Lucas to go help others in need; he walked around the crowded hospital, trying to reconnect kids and their parents. This was another emotional scene.
Henry (the father) and the two younger sons also had a role in helping others. Henry refused to leave the island until he found his wife and oldest son; this put him in some difficult and dangerous situations. The 7 year-0ld son comforted and protected his younger brother when they were by themselves.
Sexual Content: Mild
- After the tragedy we saw Maria’s tank top ripped and torn apart; her chest was exposed.
- A nude man was shown walking beside the road. We could tell he was naked, but we didn’t see any details.
Violent Content: Excessive
- The tsunami had a devastating impact on the island, and the movie clearly portrayed the horrific effects.
- During the tsunami we heard a baby screaming in a floating car, then a then a huge wave toppled over the vehicle.
- We saw thousands of people washed away from the tsunami; they were shown bloody and bruised.
- We saw dead bodies floating underwater and corpses all over the ground.
- In the hospital we saw hundreds of injured people; one woman was vomiting blood, Maria was shown gagging and throwing up blood as well. This was a very disturbing and graphic scene.
- We see a close-up of Maria’s injuries; she had an open cut on her upper thigh and we saw a slab of skin dangling from the bloody wound.
- Maria was in so much pain and agony, this was difficult to see as we watched her son trying to comfort her.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “H–,” was said once.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Henry and Maria discussed sharing a glass of wine after their kids went to bed.
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Overall this was an amazing story with some valuable lessons throughout the film. Parents need to be aware of the disturbing, graphic scenes of the tsunami and the struggles and pain the victims endured. Depending on the child, I recommend The Impossible for kids ages 13 and up.
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